3 Hudson Valley Women Accused of Welfare Fraud

Three women from the Hudson Valley allegedly took over $17,000 in combined welfare fraud.

On July 26, Gina Dooris of Kingston was arrested by Ulster County Sheriff's Office and charged with welfare fraud, six counts of offering a false instrument for filing, felonies and making a punishable false written statement, a misdemeanor.

An investigation discovered that Dooris did not report her true residence and receipt of RUPCO Housing Subsidies to the Department of Social Services, from March 2017 to May 2018, officials say.

It is alleged that Dooris filed multiple SNAP recertifications and a Temporary Assistance application during that period containing false information, which resulted in her receiving $4,239 in SNAP benefits she was not entitled to.

Marie Mullings, 28, of Kingston was charged on Friday with welfare fraud and three counts of offering a false instrument for filing, felonies.

Mullings did not report her correct household composition and income to the Department of Social Services from August 2016 to April 2018, officials say. Mullings allegedly filed several SNAP applications during that time period, not disclosing the income, resulting in her receiving $6,901 in SNAP benefits.

On Monday, 53-year-old Monique Smalls of Ellenville was charged with grand larceny, welfare fraud and two counts of offering a false instrument for filing, felonies.

Smalls allegedly didn't disclose her complete household income to the Department of Social Services from September 2014 to January 2017 and then again from June 2017 to January 2018.

Smalls filed two applications with the Department of Social Services not revealing all the income, which caused her to receive $5,994.00 in SNAP benefits, authorities say.

All the investigations were conducted by the Ulster County Department of Social Services Special Investigation Unit, in conjunction with the Ulster County District Attorney Office.